There was a time when a DSLR was the only way to go for professional photography. But the mirror system of DSLRs adds quite a bit of bulk to it, which is where mirrorless cameras come in, also known as compact camera systems.
Mirrorless cameras retain the big sensors and interchangeable lenses of a DSLR, but drop the mirror to cut down on size and weight. There are pros and cons to both designs, but some do prefer mirrorless systems. If you want to find out more, read this: Mirrorless vs DSLR cameras: 10 key differences.
But as with DSLR cameras, DSLRs can also be tough to choose from. So, we've picked 10 of the best DSLR cameras you can buy today.
With the Alpha A7R III, Sony has taken one of our favourite mirrorless cameras and bolstered the performance. It's one of the most complete and versatile cameras available today. With a brilliant full-frame 42.2MP sensor that's supported by and advanced AF system and 10fps burst shooting, you no longer have to sacrifice performance for resolution or vice versa. This is a camera that would be equally at home perched on a mountain as it will be in a studio or a game of football.
Read our in-depth Sony Alpha A7R III review
Fujifilm's update to the X-T1 may look small at first glance, but there are some big improvements inside. And perhaps the biggest of all is the autofocus system. It's a leap forward compared to the system found in the X-T1, with much more precise AF tracking for moving subjects. Add in 8 frames per second burst shooting, a clever double-hinged rear display, bright EVF, Fuji's excellent 24.3MP X Trans III CMOS sensor and plenty of body mounted controls wrapped in a tactile body, you have a brilliant camera in your hands.
Read our in-depth Fujifilm X-T2 review
The Sony A9 comes with AF/AE tracking calculation up to 60 fps. It also features a large and bright EVF that provides “blackout-free” shooting at 20fps. With a resolution of 24.2 MP, the camera targets wildlife and sports photographers.
Sony recently launched the A9 in India. The camera is equipped with the world’s first 35mm full-frame stacked CMOS sensor. The sensor allows 20 times faster data processing as compared to the older version of Sony's full-frame mirrorless cameras.
Read the full review: Sony A9
The OM-D E-M10 Mark III may not be a massive leap over the Mark II, with much of the camera's specifications remaining the same. However, Olympus has refined and tweaked one of our favourite mirrorless cameras and made it better. Some will criticise the smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor format (roughly half the area of APS-C), but the effect on image quality is minor and the lenses are compact and lightweight. Sporting 5-axis image stabilisation, a decent electronic viewfinder, 8.6fps burst shooting speed and 4K video, it's no toy – the E-M10 Mark III is a properly powerful camera.
Read our in-depth Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III review
The Fujifilm XT-2 is a good looking laptop, but it's not particularly affordable. The company's answer for this is the X-T20, which manages to retain many of the X-T2's key features, including its 24.3MP sensor and advanced AF system. The X-T20 feels similar its counterpart in terms of build quality, while the tactile controls and polished handling make it a very satisfying camera to shoot with. The X-T20 certainly hits the sweet spot between enthusiasts and pros.
Read our in-depth Fujifilm X-T20 review
The Panasonic Lumix GH5 is the latest in Panasonic's top-of-the-line GH series. It's certainly one of the best 4K camera solutions out there, if not the best. The video capabilities are backed by a great set of features for the still photographer.
Read the full review: Panasonic Lumix GH5
You don't have to go full-frame use Sony's great camera technology, and this APS-C model is a great choice for enthusiasts looking for a DSLR alternative. One of the challenges for CSC manufacturers has been to make better autofocus systems. The A6500's comes very close, especially in bright light. It's able to track moving subjects and as they move towards or away from the camera. There's also an excellent electronic viewfinder that makes it easy to see when the subject is sharp and correctly exposed. Image quality is very high and there's built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity as well.
Read our in-depth Sony Alpha A6500 review
While the design follows that of the original Pen-F film camera from the 1960s, that's pretty much where any similarities stop with the modern-day Pen-F. It features Olympus' latest 20MP Micro Four Thirds sensor. Unlike previous Pen models that rely solely on the rear screen for composition, the Pen-F incorporates a high-quality OLED EVF integrated into the body with a resolution of 2.36m dots. There's also an advanced 5-axis image stabilisation system built in to combat camera shake, while no Olympus CSC could be complete without a selection of Art Filters – the Pen-F has 28 to choose from.
Read the full review: Olympus Pen-F
With the GX80 (known at the GX85 in the US), Panasonic's taken the well-liked GX8 and streamlined some of the features. Despite sacrificing the clever tilting EVF, resolution is actually improved on the fixed EVF on the GX80. It also forgoes the 20.3MP Micro Four Thirds sensor and the older 16MP chip has been replaced.
The AA filter has been removed for sharper images. The GX80 comes with 4K video capture, with the ability to capture 8MP stills from recorded footage. Handling could have been more polished, but AF is fast and accurate.
Read the full review: Panasonic Lumix GX80 / GX85
With 24 million pixels, the A7 may not be able to able to capture quite the same amount of detail as its high resolution sibling, the A7R II. Yet, you get the same level of control over depth of field and it has the same sensor size. This second-generation model benefits from a number of improvements, including 5-axis image stabilisation, an all-magnesium body and a wide selection of supported video formats.
Read the full review: Sony Alpha A7 II